While Rugby Australia is pursuing a centralised approach, Queensland Rugby Union supports this shift but is moving forward independently.

In these changes, Rugby Australia will oversee the entire National High-Performance Plan and system, covering national pathways, development programs, as player contracts and essential high-performance staff across Super Rugby Pacific, Super W, and national programs.

CEO of Queensland Rugby Union, Dave Hanham, told Peter Psaltis on Wide World of Sports, “In short we’ve worked hard to strengthen our balance sheet…our view is that there is an advantage of having good strong local knowledge in how you drive you’re local business, that doesn’t mean we won’t work with Rugby Australia.”

“As I’ve said they’ve [Rugby Australia] been respectful of that and they’re aware that’s not a priority for Queensland, and if they have to help other clubs out in different ways, we are supportive of that but that’s not something we are going to enter into…” Mr. Hanham continued.

Hear more highlights from Peter Psaltis below: 

Image: Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Rugby Australia